House votes to outlaw weapons on small recreational drones

An 18-year-old Connecticut man may be in trouble with federal aviation officials after posting a video online that shows shots being fired from a gun-carrying drone. (July 21)
AP

A picture taken on March 30, 2018 shows an Israeli military drone flying after dropping tear gas grenades during clashes with Palestinian protesters following a demonstration commemorating Land Day, near the border with Israel, east of Gaza City.(Photo: MAHMUD HAMS, AFP/Getty Images)

“This appeared to be a case of technology surpassing current legislation,” Burgess said, quoting the Clinton police chief at the time. “Police say their greatest fear with the increase in the use of recreational drones is their weaponization.”

Drones are increasingly used to inspect crops, monitor construction and experiment with deliveries.

But Burgess worried that North Dakota had authorized police to arm drones with non-lethal weapons in 2015. He worried that small drones have been used in attacks in the Middle East, he said.

“There is real concern that home-grown extremists in the United States could do the same thing," Burgess said.